UCA kicking in lots of mistakes

— Special teams have been a factor in Central Arkansas’ first two losses in Southland Conference play.

At Stephen F. Austin last Saturday, senior Eddie Carmona had a punt blocked and returned for a touchdown and a 22-yard field goal blocked before halftime in a 30-7 loss to the Lumberjacks.

Coupled with a fumbled kickoff return by Derrick Steele that helped catapult Northwestern State the week before in a 24-19 home loss, Bears Coach Clint Conqueis concerned with the special teams unit.

“Nobody works harder at the kicking game,” Conque said. “We had a breakdown of ball security and the kicking game that cost us.

“I’m concerned about our kicking game. We have starters on all those units, because of our depth and injuries.”

The Bears (3-3, 0-2 Southland) are at Nicholls Statetoday searching for their first conference victory. Kickoff is scheduled for 4 p.m. at John L. Guidry Stadium in Thibodaux, La.

The Colonels (2-4, 1-1) beat Texas State 47-45 in four overtimes last week. Nicholls State is led by sophomore quarterback LaQuintin Caston, who scored four touchdowns (two rushing, two passing) in the Colonels’ victory, earning Southland Conference offensive player of the week honors.

Coach Charlie Stubbs is in his first year at Nicholls State, replacing Jay Thomas, whowent 27-35 in five years.

Nicholls State averages 22.2 points per game, but has given up 39.0 ppg on defense.

“They ran the option the last 15 years,” Conque said. “They have more extended formations. That presents its own challenge.

“Defensively, they’re very active. They have an odd-man front. They’re active with the blitz package. They play man coverage. That may present some options throwing the ball down the field.”

Terence Bobo scored UCA’s lone touchdown at Stephen F. Austin, on a 1-yard pass fromquarterback Nathan Dick in the first quarter. But the Bears could not get out of their own way, losing two fumbles and an interception in addition to the special teams miscues.

UCA was outgained 452 yards to 411 in the loss.

“I’m proud of how we competed,” Conque said. “We played extremely hard. The game plan was good.

“We wore down mentally and physically. We just didn’t play a clean game.”

Senior receiver Kenneth Robey had 12 catches for 92 yards for UCA. He leads the Southland with 40 catches (6.7 per game) for 488 yards and 4 touchdowns.

UCA and Nicholls State have split their four meetings with the home team winning each time. The Bears won 42-13 last year in Conway, one year after the Colonels upset UCA 20-17 in Thibodaux.

Meanwhile, UCA will try to avoid an 0-3 start in the Southland. But that’s not what Conque is worried about going into today’s game.

“We’re concentrating on us,” Conque said. “We’re 3-3 overall and trying to get that fourth win. Our goal is still in our hands. To advance, we have to get that next win.”Central Arkansas at Nicholls State WHERE John L. Guidry Stadium, Thibodaux, La.

WHEN 4 p.m. Central today RECORDS Central Arkansas (3-3, 0-2 Southland Conference); Nicholls State (2-4, 1-1) COACHES Clint Conque (76-46 in 11 seasons at Central Arkansas); Charlie Stubbs (2-4 in first season at Nicholls State) SERIES Series tied 2-2 RADIO KKPT-FM, 94.1, in Little Rock; KUCA-FM, 91.3, and KCNY-FM, 107.1, in Conway; KDXE-AM, 1380, in Little Rock; KFFK-AM, 1390, in Rogers INTERNET ucasports.com

Sports, Pages 26 on 10/23/2010

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